France, Oct. 26 -- Around 410,000 people took part in rallies across France, according to the Interior Ministry. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and other security personnel in an operation that helped avert a repeat of the widespread looting and vandalism seen on 17 October.

The movement, which began with student protests last month, has drawn support from a broader range of groups. Organisers hope that growing frustration will sustain pressure on the government as it holds talks with unions and student representatives.

"We see an aggregation of anger," Murielle Guilbert, co-leader of the left-wing Solidaires trade union federation, told BFM TV on Sunday.

She said grievances among students, workers, firefighters and other groups we...